courtney upshaw

Linebacker is an unrestricted free agent

Their first free agent defection came less than an hour after the market opened today as outside linebacker Paul Kruger agreed to terms on a five-year deal with the Cleveland Browns worth $41 million

The NFL offseason heats up on Tuesday when the free agency period begins and the NFL draft will take place next month. In anticipation of those events, blogger and reporter Matt Vensel will look at six key positions the Ravens might address in free agency and the NFL draft in the days leading up to the start of free agency. Today, he looks at pass rusher.

Here is a roundup of which first-round draft prospects the Ravens are being linked to in the latest 2013 NFL mock drafts put together by national football analysts.

In the face of adversity, John Harbaugh stood tall for the Baltimore Ravens and won Super Bowl because of it

After the high of the Super Bowl, Harford Ravens fans have a chance to keep the excitement going at yet another special Ravens rally this Friday night in Bel Air.

Baltimore Ravens facing a lot of issues after winning Super Bowl championship

Fresh off their Super Bowl victory, a handful of Ravens will be making appearances in Harford County this week.

Baltimore Ravens rookie outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw is accustomed to winning

Ravens veteran free safety Ed Reed has never embraced an unconventional approach.

Kaepernick's interception, James' fumble give Ravens advantage before halftime

Maligned corner Jimmy Smith makes big plays late, but many contribute to Ravens' championship

Now, just over a year since winning a national title with the Crimson Tide, Courtney Upshaw's second in four years in Tuscaloosa, the Ravens rookie linebacker has returned to New Orleans, the site of Sunday's Super Bowl.

Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Dean Pees has led a defense that is resilient, surviving a slow start and a slew of injuries to be in top form in the postseason and earn a Super Bowl berth.

On Sunday, the Ravens play the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII, and they will attempt to win their second Lombardi Trophy with a roster largely constructed with homegrown players raised in the Ravens Way.

Each day this week, Baltimore Sun reporter and blogger Matt Vensel will break down a key matchup for the Ravens in Sunday's Super Bowl XLVII. Today, he looks at the challenge of defending San Fransisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and the pistol offense.

Baltimore Ravens rookies Keleche Osemele, Justin Tucker, Bernard Pierce and Courtney Upshaw have been key players — especially in the postseason.

This week, Baltimore Sun reporters Aaron Wilson and Matt Vensel looks back at the Ravens' previous game and that of their next of opponent.

Every morning, Monday through Friday, blogger Matt Vensel will hook you up with reading material -- mostly on the Ravens but with some other Baltimore sports stuff, too -- to skim through as you slug down coffee and slack off at the start of your workday.

Ravens rookie Courtney Upshaw battled minor conditioning issues, a nagging shoulder injury and command of the playbook but he's become a reliable run stopper and a potential long-term replacement for Jarret Johnson. He has started 10 games and made 55 tackles for the Ravens who play the Denver Broncos on Saturday in an AFC divisional playoff game.

Jeff Zrebiec delivers his scouting report for the regular-season finale between the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium.

Breaking down the film from the Baltimore Ravens' 33-14 win over the New York Giants and the Cincinnati Bengals' 13-10 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 16.

Defensive coordinator Dean Pees stuck with an aggressive approach, blitzing defenders and using unusual alignments. He lined up safeties James Ihedigbo and Omar Brown as edge pass rushers lined up outside the tackles and shifted outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw to nose guard.

Each Wednesday, blogger Matt Vensel will highlight five statistics that really mean something for the Ravens.

Baltimore Sun columnist Mike Preston answers a selection of reader questions on the Ravens' loss to the Denver Broncos.

In his last day on the job before being fired Monday morning, Cam Cameron called one of his more effective games even though mounting behind-the-scenes discord led to his dismissal. With Vonta Leach plowing defenders and Ray Rice dancing upfield, the Ravens used its running game to pile up a season-high 186 yards.

Deactivated for the previous five games, Richard Crawford turns in game-changing play with 64-yard punt return to set up game-winning field goal in overtime against Ravens

Two minutes into overtime of a 31-28 loss to the Washington Redskins on Sunday at FedEx Field, the Ravens allowed a 64-yard punt return to Redskins cornerback Richard Crawford that directly led to a 34-yard game-winning field goal by kicker Kai Forbath.

Baltimore Ravens Pro Bowl outside linebacker Terrell Suggs has been ruled out for today's game at FedEx Field against the Washington Redskins with a torn right biceps.

Both Washington Redskins offensive tackles Trent Williams and Tyler Polumbus are wary of outside linebacker Paul Kruger, the Ravens' leader in sacks this season

Twelve games down. Four to go. Yes, we are at another quarter pole, so let's dig into the third quarter snap counts to see which trends have developed when it comes to playing time. These numbers, which come courtesy of the NFL, are pretty interesting due to the return of Terrell Suggs and injuries to other key Ravens players.

Baltimore Sun reporter Jeff Zrebiec opines on the Baltimore Ravens' defensive injuries, when linebacker Ray Lewis might return, the body language of quarterback Joe Flacco and much more.

Aaron Wilson breakes down the tape from the Ravens' loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, and Matt Vensel look back at the Washington Redskins' win over the New York Giants on Monday night.

Baltimore Sun columnist Mike Preston answers a selection of reader questions about the Ravens' 23-20 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium.

The reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year didn't return, heading to the locker room for further examination during the final minutes of the Ravens' 23-20 loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium.

Baltimore Sun columnist Mike Preston answers reader questions on the Ravens' 16-13 overtime win ove the San Diego Chargers.

Toys for Tots campaigns are scheduled at Giant Food and Toys R Us

Baltimore Sun reporters Aaron Wilson and Matt Vensel break down the film from the Ravens' win over the San Diego Chargers and the Pittsburgh Steelers' loss to the Cleveland Browns last week.

Unlike last year when Philip Rivers seemingly had an eternity to stand in the pocket and shred the defense in a decisive win over Baltimore, the Ravens sacked him six times Sunday afternoon during a dramatic 16-13 overtime victory at Qualcomm Stadium.

Tight end Dennis Pitta expected to play, but defensive end Pernell McPhee is a question mark as the Ravens wrap up a week of practices in preparation for Sunday's game against the San Diego Chargers

Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is accustomed to encountering an instinctive free safety every day, practicing against former NFL Defensive Player of the Year Ed Reed.

After missing the previous three games with right knee and thigh injuries, starting left defensive end Pernell McPhee practiced for the second consecutive day.

McPhee returns after missing Pittsburgh game with knee, thigh injuries